If You Were to Start Your Own Car Company...

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YSSMAN

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Here is a good question for all of you car nuts, if you were to start a car company, what you build? What would your name be? What kind of people would you target for sales? Be as specific or as general as you like, as I'm interested in what people say.

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I myself would want to start a car company called Corsa Motore Impianti (CMI) (roughly meaning Racing Motor Works in Italian). All of the cars would be rather lightweight and rather spartan, often including the baisic features necessary to pass safety regulations, no more, no less.

All of the models would be based on the same small chassis similar in size to the Mazda MX-5. Models would include:

- Ceres: Small, two-seat roadster that takes the term spartan quite literally, With a featues list similar to the Caterham Sevens, the car would do without power anything, A/C, or a radio. It's just you and your guages on the inside. Power would come from the 2.2L 140HP ECOTEC I4 from the Cobalt, and it would be matched to Solstice running gear. The special feature would be removeable pannels to turn a full-bodied roadster into an open-wheel car.

- Maia: Small, two-seat roadster based on the Ceres, includes more "luxury" features such as A/C and a radio and crank windows (yeah!), and will continue to use the detachable pannels.

- Vulcan: A larger two-seat coupe, this sime using a larger 200HP S/C ECOTEC engine, but most pieces would still come from the Solstice. Interior features would be pretty minimal, but more like the Maia than the Ceres.

- Pluto: This would be based on the Vulcan, and would also be the top-model of the four. Built in very limited numbers, and carrying a much higher price, this would depart from the rest of line line by doubling the cylinder count to eight. Sort of a spiritual successor to the Sunbeam Tiger, the car would use my specially designed V8... Baisically the GM LS4 using the 4800's crank to make what would be a modern 302ci V8. Power should be right around 300HP, and spin upwards of 7000RPM. Matched with the same Aisin close-ratio 5-speed manual of the other cars, expect 60 to come in about five seconds, with a top speed around 150-160MPH. Think of it as something similar to the Exige in the interior, enough to satisfy, enough to keep the car light.


...Well, thats my plan, how 'bout yours?
 
Well, my idea of a car company wouldn't exactly be making new cars, but rather selling new and used ones.
 
Ive been playing some old games where you start your own car company, make models (build and name them), test them, market them, research technologys, open factorys around the world, employ workers, open dealerships, price them etc etc.

The game is called "Detroit", its old and you could probably download it free on abandonware, may not be the latest graphics but it is really fun.
 
Dont know what Id call my company but Id try and build beautiful exotics ala F40 in the fact it will have no frills, just ABS and TCS that can be turned on and off.

The body would be mainly carbonfibre and Id have a audi V8 lump or a AMG V8 with about 650bhp.

Id also make slower models, but they would be luxurious to compete with 911's but undercut them with about 420bhp.

Oh and Id also make a RWD hot hatch with 300bhp
 
...So yours would be more of a luxury/sport marque like Ferrari and Lamborghini then...?
 
well, I would practically plan my own cars, and develop a wide range..

Lower class grocery getters would be RWD, light and nimble, with 150bhp from 2l i4, available in all possible body forms, with optional stuff like A/C, traction control etc.

medium class woild be pretty similar to first one, but there's increases in performance and driveability, and AWD for top notch model. MR lineup would be added, and engines would vary from 2.2l i4's to 3l i6 and 1.3l/2.0l twincharged ( super and turbocharged) wankels.

higher class would bring back estates, with similar engines as Audi has. 4wd/rwd is standard feature, and 3.5l is the minimum displacement for these, with the exeption of wankel engines.

supercar class.. no compromises here. they'd be roadlegal racecars. CF chassis, bodypanels etc, no luxury at all. top notch model would be mid-engined awd car, featuring 3.9l quadturbo wankel, with maximum weight of 1100kg. I've already drawn a prototype of that one..

and here is pic for the supercar.. Arctica Aurora

and the ultimate boyracer.. SRC-1
 
Fern, luxo line of Turner.
Turner Activity-base, hatch sedan, coupe or wagon.
Turner Fortis-sport version of Activity, distinctively different body styling
Turner Celeres-Luxo sedan/wagon to compete with 7 series, s class
Turner Twelve- ripping off Caddy's sixteen name, V12 engine, top of the line superluxo like Maybach or Phantom

Fern Rogue-available in S, RS, R, and SSV versions, hardtop or roadster superexotic, apparently goes 287mph and 2.4 to 60 for ssv, but not tested yet
Current Rogue S image:
Fern Sage-small, base hatch
Fern Cyclone-Retro-hot rod thing
Fern Maelstrom-Retro muscle-car thing
Fern/Turner DC25-01-Large SUV/truck, work in progress
Fern Solar-entry roadster
Fern Soliminum-higher level roadster like z8
Fern DC-20-00 entry level SUV/truck
 
Called Smilcar, it would feature unique models, not models based on each other.. Blend, hatchback, Erada, small saloon and Stella, suicide doors-exec.. I would major on design, real sharp cars. And low price. For me, rather a rear wheel drive Alfa, than a rear wheel drive Mercedes..
 
Keep the ideas comming, I find them pretty interesting.

It seems that we all agree on RWD, and most of us are comitted to lightweight spartan sports cars in some way, shape, or form.

Hey, if youve got the time, you could draw em. Thanks for the idea Rouge!
...I'll start working on mine sometime later today...
 
damn those are some excellent drawings guys. I envy you guys, I have all these beautiful shapes in my head but I cant sketch or draw to save my life.:indiff:

Maybe I need to get some modeling clay. Im good with my hands:grumpy:

Anyone know what type of clay Id need to do some models?
 
I knew but I forgot. Also theres pics of the Maelstrom and a few previous designs in the 'car drawings' thread if anyone wants to see them
 
Well, I've gone through two different versions of the Vulcan/Pluto coupes, and I really don't care much for either.

As of now, they pretty much look like crosses between the Audi ShootingBreak and Citroen C4... Not something I care to build myself... I've prety much decided to scrap the concept all together. Instead, I think I'm going to go for a true coupe, much more round in design, instead of the very square French lines I used on the Vulcan/Pluto.
 
Mine would be called 'López', I'll build lightweight sports cars, with just the basic things that the car needs to move, but with safety stuff. All the cars would be RWD

-Augusto: The top model, V8 4.0L , bi-turbo, 500hp, 1000 kg. The style of the car: like a TVR Sagaris.
 
...Well, I've kinda decided to ditch the detachable side pannels. I don't think the idea would fly in the US after what happened with the VW GX3, so for now, the Ceres and Maia will do without them.

Oh, and the first final design has come in...
HERE

This would be the mid-level Maia, who shares it's design with the Ceres. The car is low and wide, and does without a moveable soft-top. The windshiled is broken up into two pieces, one for the driver and the other for the passenger, with a rearview mirror splitting the two.
 
Well I have no names and such, but here is my concept :

All my cars would have AWD, golden wheels, a logo with 6 stars and....wait...:sly:

No really, all my cars would have AWD. I would offer many platforms, small roadsters, small hatchbacks, family wagons...

I would prefer small engines, 4 and 6 cylinders with and without turbos.

ranging from 150 hp 2.0 litre to 600 hp inline 6 biturbo ( power depending on local restrictions, explained later)

3 versions of every model :

The normal version would just be called "name of specific model" and would have everything that is standart in its class, just a little sportier ( some hp more, suspension a little stiffer etc ). It would be a bargain compared to other competitors. AT availible.

The luxury edition ( model + LUX as name ) would feature everything you find in Lexus, Mercedes etc today, just a little cheaper. AT availible.

The sports edition (model + RACING as name ) would be extreme. Every car would be stripped down : MT only, carbon racing seats, plastic windows in the back ( and left/right back if it is a middle class car etc ), no electric windows, the whole interior would be removed and replaced by some carbon and apart from that : just raw steel => lightweight concept. Every car would have rollbars right from the factory ( safety ).
Options : air conditioning and a light mp3 radio. the Racing edition would always be at the edge of legal regulations in the specific regions concering loudness and emissions.
Basically a street legal race car like offered by some tuners nowadays. I would always choose good parts from all over the world for these racing models ( brakes, wheels, turbo's etc ).
The goal would be : superior performance for less money compared to every other car in it's class. And I could probably achieve it, since I would completly leave out aspects like level of sound inside the car or cosmetic details. No handmade leather racing seats. Performance at all costs ( rough,thirsty and loud cars ).

I wouldn't waste money with developing high tech engines with fuel efficiency etc, I would modifiy the engine management :
2 modes : normal ( full power every time ) and ECO : up to 60% power cut, would be disabled when you push the pedal to the medal ( for safety reasons mainly ). This mode is for daily use, for example the 600 hp version could be driven with 250 hp to increase mpg etc.
 
All would be 2 seater, sub 2,000 lbs, RWD, 6 speed manual, and have no luxuries. They'd be based on a FR chassis. Base coupe would start with a 2.0l S2000 engine with 240 hp. The model up would have a twin turbo S2000 engine with 400 hp. The top level would have a 2.0l V8 N/A with over 550 hp.
 
Well, I'd have entry-level hatches, like Civics and Golfs, lower-mid class RWD coupes and MR coupes, like Silvias and MR2's , mid-class sedans like Aristos...

Alpha- Civic EG coupe/sedan/hatch-120-150-175 HP NA fours-FWD
Cadrona- Civic EK Hatch-200 HP DOCH supercharged 4 cyl. (1.8L)-F/4WD
Clover- Golf MK1-105/150 HP NA four cyl.(1.5L)/ NA 5 cyl (2.2L)-RWD
Clover II- Golf 4-240 HP Turbo 5 cyl (2.5L)-4WD
Club-Silvia S13-180 HP NA 4 cyl (1.7L)-RWD
Club Turbo-Silvia S14 Kouki-240 HP 4 cyl turbo (2.2L)-RWD

Thats it for now, ill post up more tommrow.
 
id sell cheap realiable econoboxes profitably.
get a wacky marketing theme.
tell people to treat their cars as pets, part of the family etc.
encourage an auto lifestyle

pandering to enthusiasts is only profitable if you make expensive cars. see porsche.
otherwise you make dull reliable transportation. see toyota.
if youre lucky youre somewhere in between. see BMW
 
I would specialize in performance saloons similar to RS4's and E55AMG's etc...

I'd like a heavy (4500lbs or so), yet nimble 4 door chassis with a large, NA v8 making around 450-500HP. There would be an optional supercharger/performance exhaust upgrade available to up the power to around 550HP. I'd have a lighter (3200lbs or so) sedan making around 300-350HP. All models would come with lush, leather interior, premium stereo/sat navs, 5 speed manual transmission and optional automatic transmission.
 
I used to do this when I was a kid. :lol: I still remember some of the names of companies I came up with: Iijima(Toyota type company), Prominent(Perhaps like Lexus, BMW, Jaguar), Shogun(Rolls/Bentley), Strider(GMC), etc., that's all I remember. I must say, I still like the names. I used to sketch car designs to go along with them. My friends were impressed, but if I saw those today, it'll probably crack me up. :D
Rogue Ssv
Double post? I dont get it...
He posted twice by mistake.
 
Well, for me, id would ahve to go do something like the ariel atom, but with 600 hp from a TT-supra engine called the stormer( no realtion to the range rover) with a 7-speed CVT.

There would also be a more practicle version that would look something like a yaris, but slammed to the ground and have about 10 inches less of a roof, that would be powered by a 3L I-6 and called the drop

and for the grand daddy of them all, the torqx. A 1200hp flat 8, 260mph beast with a 7 speed tiptronic trans. The wheelbase is about the same as a Koenigsegg but slighty longer, and with some downforce.
 
I forget what it stands for but you can go through the gears fairly quickly without any trouble. nice and smooth shifts, pluss a little less time spen off the gas( maybe a tenth of a second:sly:)
 
7-Speed CVT??????

I have no idea what I will call my company but it would make upper-level cars, priced around $50,000 with RWD and a 400hp V8 at least. 4-doors and 2-doors. 6-speed manual and auto offered.
 
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